Royals spread the Mayo in state quarterfinals

  • Dee Dee Winston, sophomore, runs the offense for the Royals. She contributed 6 points in the Royals blow-out win.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • Angelica Wiggins, senior, defends against a Rochester Mayo player in the second half.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • Julia Jallo, junior, looks to make a pass late in the game against Rochester Mayo.

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  • Ashley Bates, junior, grabs a rebound during pre-game warmups. Bates totaled 11 points and 6 rebounds in the win.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • The HHS cheerleaders are announced during introductions at the Target Center.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • Catherine Retica and Olivia Polinsky, juniors, wear shirts in support of Bradley Cosgriff, the brother of head coach Brian Cosgriff.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • Ashley Bates, junior, and Bianca Williams, senior, hit the whip during pre-game introductions.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • Dee Dee Winston, Junior, dribbles up the court against the Rochester Mayo press in last years State tournament.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • Viria Livingston, senior, shoots a free throw as Dee Dee Winston, sophomore, and Ashley Bates, junior, watch.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • Nia Hollie, junior, plays in the class 4A state quarterfinal game against Rochester Mayo.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • Evelyn Knox, then a junior, plays in the 2015 state tournament. Knox and the Royals will try to defeat the top-ranked Sabers tonight.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • Nia Hollie, junior, shoots a free throw while teammate Dee Dee Winston, sophomore, watches.

    Ruby Krieztman
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  • Ashley Bates, junior, and Dee Dee Winston, sophomore, play defense.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • Coach Cosgriff watches his team from the sidelines.

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  • Chaniya Rogers, Bianca Williams, Ashley Omete, seniors, Dominique McNeely and Sierra Bagstad, juniors, cheer their teammates on from the sidelines.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • HHS student section cheers on the team as a free throw is shot.

    Ruby Krietzman
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  • Dee Dee Winston, sophomore, plays defense against Rochester Mayo.

    Ruby Krietzman
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Ben Segelbaum and Judaisha Jackson
Mar 17, 2015

When a team gets the top seed in the class 4A state tournament, there are perks that go along with it, such as the 10 a.m. game and a pretty easy first opponent.

The #1 seeded Royals were handed unseeded Rochester Mayo and set out to give the Spartans an afternoon they would soon want to forget.

It was a tight beginning of the game, as neither team could pull away. The Royals led by three, then six, then back to three.

With 11:21 left in the first half, the Royals made it 17-11 and never looked back.

Wolves rookie sensation Andrew Wiggins passed some time before Timberwolves practice by grabbing a chair and watching his sister Angelica Wiggins, senior from behind the basket.

The Royals made sure the young NBA star saw them at their best. A 30-9 run sent the Royals to halftime with a 45-20 lead, led by 10 points from Ashley Bates, junior.

“Ashley was really productive today,” said Mr. Brian Cosgriff, head coach. “She’s always active defensively and grabs rebounds against players twice her size.”

The second half didn’t look much different from the first, as it took Rochester Mayo over six minutes to score their first point.

The Royals outscored the Spartans 17-15 in the final 18 minutes and cruised to a 62-35 victory. 

“As a team, I think we played really well,” said T’Aire Starks, senior “We came out and matched their intensity and didn’t allow them to score.”

The highest-scoring Royals were Nia Hollie, junior, and Viria Livingston, senior, with 13 points each. Hollie also reached her 1,000th career point.

The win for the Royals improves Cosgriff’s state tournament record to 22-3 and secures a semifinal matchup with Shakopee. The semifinal will take place on Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m. at Williams Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

“Our goal from day one has been to play from opening day to the last day,” Cosgriff said. “Whether we’re playing for third place or first place, we want to be playing. Our work isn’t done yet.”

 Starks named to Star Tribune all-metro first team

Hours before the class 4A state quarterfinal, the Star Tribune announced their girls basketball all-metro teams. T’Aire Starks, senior, was named to the first team.

“It’s an honor to be selected,” Starks said.

Starks joins John Warren, senior as Royals basketball players named first team all-metro this year. Shakopee and HHS are the only two schools in Minn. that put both both a boy and girl basketball player on the first team.

“TT is an amazing kid. Very high basketball IQ, very coachable,” Cosgriff said. “I’m lucky to have her on my team.”